Where were you when Finland won its first Ice Hockey World Championship?

16 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was Sunday afternoon and later that day me and my classmates were taking the boat to Sweden to go play basketball against schools in Södertälje. The games were held in Sweden and Swedes had been cocky enough to believe they would take it all. They had even made a theme song "Den glider in" and the music video featured swedish hockey players. Finland had played pretty well and we reached the final. And played Sweden. Ville Peltonen had a hat trick and Timo Jutila had a goal. I can't remember who scored for Sweden but it's not important as we won 4-1 and the nation went nuts! I was able to listen to the national anthem after the win and then it was time to head to school. The bus was waiting to take us to the boat to Sweden. Nothing sweeter than to be on a cruise to Sweden the same day Finland beats Sweden for the first championship. And as a basketball class we were sports nuts to the core! We made a sign "Den Glider In, Finland 4- Sweden 1" and put it on our cabin door. We sang Den glider in every chance we got, especially when we saw swedes...It was an awesome night and great day in Finnish sporting history. And tomorrow, once again, Finland and Sweden will go head to head in the final. And we will win our second goal medal! And maybe, just maybe the lines mate of Ville Peltonen from this season, Mikael Granlund will have a hat trick in the final as well!

We, as a nation, do not go on strike or march on the streets for better pay or to stop the war or for any other major stuff like the French do or celebrate on the streets when bin Laden is killed like the americans did but tomorrow if Finland wins, we will party like there's no tomorrow! And on Monday, employers should expect low attendance...lots of headaches, lots of flues, lots of "epidemics" going on...

And according to a lot of people who have been wrong so many times before, Finland is also going to win the Eurovision song contest tonight! And Manchester United just won their 19th English premier league title so this WILL be a great sporting weekend!

Later! GO Leijonat!!!